WORKING AS ONE FOR THE GOOD OF MANY
THE EXTRA MILE
Peer Support
The Extra Mile is contracted by the Louisiana Department of Health, Office of Behavioral Health, to provide statewide training for peer support specialists. Trainings may be conducted virtually or in person at various locations around the state. Capacity for training sessions are limited; therefore, the application process is competitive. Upon successful completion of training, Peer Support Specialists will be deemed recognized by the state of Louisiana.
Adult Peer Support
A Recognized Peer Support Specialist (RPSS) is a person in recovery from a behavioral health challenge (mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders) who provides mentoring, guidance, and support services to others experiencing behavioral health challenges and receiving behavioral health services. RPSS works in sync with other clinical treatment providers in recovery centers, nonprofit organizations, behavioral health programs, crisis centers, and other behavioral health programs.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Office of Behavioral Health mandates that Peer Support Specialist qualifications adhere to national standards. These standards include:
Lived Experience: Peer Support Specialists must have lived experience with a behavioral health diagnosis. A behavioral health diagnosis can include a diagnosis with mental health challenges, addiction challenges, or co-occurring disorders.
Educational Standards: Peer Support Specialists must have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED. (A copy of the highest diploma, degree, and / or transcript must be submitted with the application.)
Age Requirements: Peer Support Specialists must be at least 18 years of age.
Time in Recovery: Peer Support Specialists must have a least 12 months of continuous demonstrated recovery.
Upcoming Training Dates
May 2026 (In-Person)
Application Deadline: March 27th @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 30th @2pm (Virtual) + Training: 7th – 8th and 11th – 15th
June 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: April 24th @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 28th @2pm + Week 1: 1st – 4th + Week 2: 10th – 12th
July 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: May 27th @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 9th @2pm + Week 1: 13th – 16th + Week 2: 22nd – 24th
August 2026 (In-Person-Lafayette)
Application Deadline: June 22nd @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 6th @2pm (Virtual) + Training: 13 – 14th & 17th – 21st
September 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: July 27th @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 10th @2pm + Week 1: 14th – 17th + Week 2: 23rd – 25th
October 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: August 31st @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 15th @2pm + Week 1: 19th – 22nd + Week 2: 28th – 30th
November 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: September 21st @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 5th @2pm + Week 1: 9th – 12th + Week 2: 18th – 20th
December 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: October 14th @ 4:00pm
Pre-Meet: 3rd @2pm + Week 1: 7th – 10th + Week 2: 16th – 18th
Family Peer Support
A Recognized Family Peer Support Specialist (RFPSS) is a person with lived experience as a caregiver navigating child-serving systems (mental health, special education, etc.) for a youth family member. They provide non-clinical, strength-based support, advocacy, and guidance to other caregivers, promoting recovery and system navigation.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Office of Behavioral Health mandates that Peer Support Specialist qualifications adhere to national standards. These standards include:
Lived Experience: Family Peer Support Specialists must have lived experience with navigating child-serving systems (mental health, special education, etc.) fora youth family member.
Educational Standards: Family Peer Support Specialists must have a minimum of a high school diploma or a GED. (A copy of the highest diploma, degree, and / or transcript must be submitted with the application.)
Age Requirements: Family Peer Support Specialists must be at least 21 years of age.
Time in Recovery: Family Peer Support Specialists must have a least one year of experience as the parent or caregiver of a child with complex needs, exclusive of social, emotional, mental health, and / or substance use concerns, and / or involvement with child welfare or juvenile justice systems.
Upcoming Training Dates
May 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: April 22nd @ 4:00pm
Training: 18th – 22nd
July 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: June 12th @ 4:00pm
Training: 27th – 31st
September 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: August 21st @ 4:00pm
Training: 21st – 25th
November 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: October 2nd @ 4:00pm
Training: 16th – 20th
PEER SUPERVISOR TRAINING
This training equips leaders within a behavioral health agency with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively incorporate and foster the professional growth of their Peer Support staff, ensuring full integration in to the agency’s operations and providing the best possible support to clients through their lived experience of recovery.
As of February 2025, OBH – in partnership with the Louisiana Medicaid Program and Peer Support stakeholders- expanded the Mdicaid peer Serice definition for Peer Supervisors to include experienced Recognized Peer Support Specialists (RPSS) as Recognized Peer Supervisors (RPS).
To successfully register for Peer Supervisor Training – YOU MUST complete thisese 2 courses and email your certificates to the training coordinator (email: [email protected]) by the application deadline for your preferred training dates.
Upcoming Supervisor Training Dates
April 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: April 13th
Training: 27th – 28th
June 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: June 15th
Training: 29th – 30th
August 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: August 10th
Training: 24th – 25th
October 2026 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: October 12th
Training: 26th – 27th
Contact the Peer Training Coordinator: Morgan Fontenot (337) 322-5753 (call/text) or at [email protected] if you have any questions about training or scholarship opportunities.
